Rules For a Better Life In and Out of The Gym

December 26, 2011 by Tony Retrosi Leave a Comment

Adapted from Manly Palmer Hall (March 18, 1901 – August 29, 1990). Here are some great words of wisdom to help you live a better life, run a better gym or coach a better team.

1. Stop worrying

Do not confuse thoughtfulness and worry. The thoughtful person plans solutions, but the worrier merely dissolves in his own doubt. The worrier not only suffers the same disaster many times, but undermines their health and annoys all others with whom they come into contact. There are many things in this world that require thoughtful consideration, but (to quote FDR) there is really nothing to fear but fear itself.

2. Stop trying to dominate and posses your friends and relatives

It is very debilitating to give advice which is ignored or rejected, and equally disappointing to attempt to posses and dominate persons who immediately resent and combat our dictatorial tendencies. We are hurt when they do not see things our way. If we save advice for ourselves and those who seek it from us, and who are therefore grateful, all concerned will be the better.

3. Moderate ambition

There is a tendency to overlook natural and simple blessings while we plunge on toward distant goals. Each individual has certain capacities. If we recognize our own abilities and work with them, we can attain personal security. If, however, we constantly seek that which is not reasonably attainable, we can never know happiness or contentment. It is not necessary to be famous in order to be happy. The ambitious usually pay too much for what they get, and are the more miserable after they get it.

4. Do not accumulate more than you need

There is no real distinction in being the richest man in the graveyard. Many a man who has made a million has not lived to spend it. A rich life can be more practical than a monumental bank account.

5. Learn to relax

The more tense we become, the more stupidly we are likely to act, and, according to the old Buddhists, stupidity is a cardinal sin. Today, many so-called efficient people are perpetually on the verge of a nervous breakdown. This is not so likely to be due to overwork as to unreasonable driving impulses from within themselves. Whether you believe it or not, you are a better producer and a better provider if you do not collapse from psychic exhaustion at some critical moment when you are most in need of good health.

6. Cultivate a sense of humor

The more seriously we take ourselves and our responsibilities, the duller we become. It is a saving grace to realize that, although living is a serious matter, we can take it too seriously. It is the ability to laugh with the world and not at the world. If we must laugh at someone, let it be ourselves. Humor is a spice to living. It adds flavor to workouts. The sincere, happy laugh of kids in the gym is what others dream of. It relieves tension and restores good nature. Incidentally, it makes friends and inspires confidence.

7. Find a reason for your own existence

A simple pattern is to realize that the laws of Nature that put you here seem to be primarily concerned with growth. You are a success to the degree that you grow, and you grow to the degree that you become a wiser, more useful, and more secure person. In other words, we live to learn, and by this very process, we learn to live. Broaden your horizon, develop an interest in all that is fine, beautiful, and purposeful. When you earn something- SHARE IT.

8. Never intentionally harm another person

Never by word or deed return evil for good, or evil for evil. As we look around us, we see the tragic results of individuals and nations that harbor grudges or nurse the instincts for revenge. Even the selfish person realizes that they cannot afford to keep a grudge, and the unselfish simply will not permit grudges to accumulate because they know better and they believe better.

9. Beware of anger

In a moment of anger, we may create a situation which will require years to remedy. Why should we spend our time trying to recover from our own mistakes? If we disapprove, let us state our case simply and quietly. We have all made mistakes, let them know that no one is perfect and get past it. A quick temper is a serious handicap in business or in the gym. It is useless to say that we cannot control anger. This is as much as to admit that we have lost the power to control ourselves. If we resent the unkindness of others and the collective irritability of this generation, let us make sure that we are not one of the irritating factors.

10. Never blame others for our own mistakes

It is hardly necessary. Each of us seems to have an incredible capacity to do things badly and select unwisely. Instead of resenting misfortunes, and seeking to excuse our own limitations, we must face the facts. Either we are stronger than the problem and can solve it intelligently, or the problem is stronger than we are, and the only solution is to increase our own strength. Others are not to blame for our unhappiness. Each of us must seek our own peace of mind, and, as the Arabian Nights so well expressed it, happiness must be earned.

In my gyms I really only have a few rules.

-Don’t be on time- be early

– No one sits down in the gym

– Don’t come to me with a problem without a potential solution

– EVERYONE leaves with a smile (even if you have to fake it)

What rules do you have in your gym? SHARE

Holiday Greeting

December 23, 2011 by Tony Retrosi Leave a Comment

Hey- I know it is a busy time of year. You just had a meet and you have another coming up. Mean while you have to fit in 4 holiday celebrations in the next 2 1/2 days. Just remember that you need to take a little time for yourself and your family.

Have a great holiday. Have a drink (if you so desire) and try not to eat ALL the cookies your gymnasts gave you.

Gymnastics Coach’s Code of Professional Conduct

December 23, 2011 by Tony Retrosi Leave a Comment

I NEED TO THANK JOHN HOWARD FROM THE GYMNASTICS ZONE FOR LETTING ME RE- POST THIS. John has some great articles on his website. If I were you, I would check it often! Follow him on twitter @gymnasticszone.

If you did not read Drs Joe and Sue Massimo’s article on Ethics, You may want to read that first.

ETHICS

Code of Professional Conduct

What make you a PROFESSIONAL COACH?

Just getting paid does not make you a PROFESSIONAL COACH.
Just paying a membership fee does not make you a PROFESSIONAL COACH
Just taking a test and passing a background check does not make you a PROFESSIONAL COACH..

Coaching is a lifetime commitment to learning and teaching. Coaching is understanding your own shortcomings and weaknesses and fixing them.

Professional gymnastics coaches control their own feelings and emotions in order to move gymnasts forward in dealing with their gymnastics careers. Professional gymnastics coaches have the highest standards when it comes to the the role model they are for gymnasts and how those gymnasts move through their gymnastics career and the rest of their lives. Professional gymnastics coaches live up to even higher ideals and standards than they expect of their gymnasts. Professional gymnastics coaches follow a code of conduct in their personal and professional lives.

Read the entire Article

CODE OF CONDUCT

The 10.0, Time to Bring it Back?

December 20, 2011 by Tony Retrosi 2 Comments

I try VERY hard to site any anywhere I get information from. I gathered this information from a number of sources. Gymnasticszone.com, Gymnastike and American Gymnast.

There is probably no more controversial topic in International Gymnastics today than the 10.0 or Lack of 10.0. The 10.0 was the very trademark and most recognizable symbol of our sport.

That being said, it did have its limitations. Is it time to bring it back? What are your thoughts? Post your comments below

Here’s a short list of the way the code has created trends in men’s and women’s gymnastics during the past several quads:

1988-1992: The perfect 10 system endures, meaning elite-level routines that meet all difficulty requirements start from a 10 and are devalued from there. Notable trends: The period of the greatest emphasis on “perfection” and making routines and skills look flawless.

1992-1996: Routines start at a base 9.4 start value in women’s gymnastics, and 9.0 in men’s gymnastics, meaning the gymnast has to earn bonus points by performing difficult combinations. Notable trends: The blind to Jaeger on uneven bars and back handsprings followed by multiple layout stepouts on beam.

1996-2000: The FIG does away with compulsory routines, lowers the base start value in both men’s and women’s gymanstics and devalues combinations like back handsprings followed by multiple layout stepouts on beam. Notable trends: This is the era of the punch front to wolf jump mount on beam, double layouts to punch fronts on floor, and lots of forward swinging combinations on rings. Sans compulsories, many top gymnasts have a slightly different presentation, less balletic than in past years.

2000-2004: The new code forces more difficult combinations in order to attain greater bonus. The first generation of gymnasts not to grow up with compulsories are less elegant but a greater number seem capable of greater difficulty than before. Notable trends: Lesser-seen combinations from past years like the front aerial, back handspring, layout stepout on beam gain popularity. The punch front to sheep jump is also seen often.

2004-2008: After an Olympic marred by judging scandals in the men’s all-around, rings, parallel bars and high bar, the FIG abandons the perfect 10 in favor of an open-ended code that in theory rewards execution as much as difficulty. Gymnasts are required to do 10 difficult elements in each routine, and bonus is given for extremely difficult combinations. But gymnasts and coaches quickly figure out that since there is no limit to the amount of D-score one can get, that is the thing to focus on. Notable trends: The double full side pass on floor.

2008-present: More of the same, with slight modifications, namely that the number of elements is reduced from 10 to eight in women’s gymnastics. Notable trends: Bail to toe hecht transitions on uneven bars, sissones or stag jumps out of all imaginable tumbling passes on women’s floor, Takamoto skills to Yamawaki or Kovacs on high bar, 1.5 to full twisting front 1 3/4 rolls on men’s floor.

“Originally created to serve the development of our sport, the Code has mutated into a time bomb that we are wholly unable to contain,” Grandi wrote. “Worse, it is a pitfall to judges and gymnasts alike, and creates situations that are often impossible to navigate. Remember Athens!”

Letter From Bruno Grandi

Oh, that Code!

The more seasoned among us remember back to the first Code. A twelve-page opus crafted by Gander, Lapalu and Hentges, it gave structure to Men’s Artistic Gymnastics and mapped out judging in three distinct categories: difficulty, combination and execution. That was back in 1949.

Today, the Code reaches out to cover all FIG disciplines; it governs everything, infiltrating gymnastics like a metastasis that spreads and traps the sport in its deadly net. Originally created to serve the development of our sport, the Code has mutated into a time bomb that we are wholly unable to contain. Worse, it is a pitfall to judges and gymnasts alike, and creates situations that are often impossible to navigate. Remember Athens!

The time has come for us, the technicians, judges and leaders in sport, to gather round a single table and revisit the Code; to re-equip our discipline with the structure and spirit originally inherent to it. This is the endgame of the FIG Symposiums for Rhythmic Gymnastics in Zurich (SUI) at the end of April, for Artistic and Trampoline in mid-June and for Aerobic and Acrobatic in September.

Simplify the Codes; we all agree on this point. Keep in mind the essence of Roman law, the first legal system in the history of Man and which is still active today. According to our predecessors, excessive detail is what dilutes and suffocates justice. Too many laws annihilate law itself!

Starting in 2005, we took successful steps toward standardising our Codes; a commendable action, to be sure, but a far cry from being enough. What we need is complete and unequivocal reform if we hope to have a Code that serves to further develop our sport. We must simplify, not complicate. What is the essential reason for the Code? What is it made to do? What is the meaning of its existence? The answer is found in history, whose most basic message is that in order to move forward into the future, one often needs to take a brief look into the past.

At the 1948 Olympic Games in London, judging in gymnastics was scandalous! Judges were using criteria to evaluate exercises specific only to their own countries. It was a free for all. Such chaos! A Code was then created to clarify and classify criteria to maintain a standardized approach to judging. Unity was finally re-established.

A mere twelve pages in 1949 compared to hundreds today, not counting the thousands of symbols that go with them! How can a judge effectively react, evaluate and decide in mere seconds and under the pressure that goes hand in hand with, say, an Olympic Final? Impossible; it is beyond human capacity.

We need a Code, a point of reference, which will bring structure to the evaluations brought by our judges and allow us to employ the Fairbrother system. Only by doing this will we be able to avoid situations such as were experienced in Athens and London. We have the tools, IRCOS for one, which can aid in attributing an accurate technical score if used properly. But we must accept the fact that the Artistic score is largely a product of a more subjective, and certainly human, evaluation. That is the variable in our equation; fallible but not unjust. And if we are to lose ourselves in the nimbus of objectivity, we have reference judges in the wings to set our course straight.

Thank you for your attention.

FEDERATION INTERNATIONALE DE GYMNASTIQUE

Prof Bruno Grandi, President

WHAT WE CAN LEARN FROM GEESE

December 19, 2011 by Tony Retrosi Leave a Comment

Fact #1 – As each bird flaps its wings, it creates uplift for the bird following. By flying in a “V” formation, the whole flock adds 71 percent greater flying range than if one bird flew alone.
Lesson Learned – People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going quicker and easier because they are traveling on the strength of one another.

Fact #2 – Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the lifting power of the bird immediately in front.
Lesson Learned – If we have as much sense as geese, we will stay in formation with those who are ahead of where we want to go and be willing to accept their help as well as give ours to others.

Fact #3 – When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies at the point position.
Lesson Learned – It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks and sharing leadership.

Fact #4 – The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed.
Lesson Learned – We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging, and not something else.

Fact #5 – When a goose gets sick or wounded or shot down, two geese drop out of formation and follow it down to help and protect it. They stay with it until it is able to fly again, or dies. Then they launch out on their own, with another formation, or they catch up with their flock.
Lesson Learned – If we have as much sense as geese do, we too, will stand by each other in difficult times as well as when we are strong.

HOW TO DELIVER A HOLIDAY TOAST?

December 14, 2011 by Tony Retrosi 1 Comment

Today we escape (a little) from the gymnastics world to talk about delivering a quality, memorable toast at a Holiday Party. We just had our Holiday Party last night and as the owner of the gyms I felt it important to get up and say a few words. My goal was for my staff to know that I really appreciate all their hard work and that I look forward to working with them each and every day.

The actual point of ANY toast is to get your audience to like themselves (and you) a little bit more than before you started speaking. Think about the toast beforehand. Maybe make some notes-BUT, when you are standing up in front of everyone. NO NOTES. I think that if you have notes, it seems less sincere.

When delivering the message itself- think about what you would say about your employees to a group of other club owners. Leave out the negative- AND THERE IS YOUR TOAST.

Key Technical Matters

The toast should come early. Maybe it’s not the first thing, but it should happen near the beginning.
It’s OK to yell at people to get them to be quiet. Anyway, whatever follows, “HEY! SHUT UP!” will seem magnanimous by comparison.
You have to be standing up.
You have to hold your drink chest-high during the entire toast. If, while holding your drink chest-high during the entire toast, your arm gets tired, then it’s probably time to wrap it up. Arm fatigue is a natural toast timer!
Stay in one place. Leave “working the room” to the motivation speakers.
Any sort of “traditional Irish toast” that you found on the internet is not recommended. Most of these fail at being funny, cute or sincere. It just says, “I really don’t care enough to think of something on my own”
If you are giving the toast and your boss is in the room, do NOT poke fun at your boss during the toast.
If your boss is NOT in the room, do NOT poke fun of your boss during the toast.
If you are the boss, you may (and probably should) poke fun at your self.
Do not use the term “poke fun” during a toast.
Or any other time.
When in doubt, say: “Cheers to us and screw everybody else.” That always works.

SECRETS TO BETTER BRAINSTORMING

December 12, 2011 by Tony Retrosi Leave a Comment

Secrets To Better Brainstorming

We have all been called into those meetings where we are asked to brainstorm on-

A new program
Problems with a particular group of gymnasts
Problems with a particular group of parents (problem parents? In our sport?)
Plan for the new year

Some times these session get way off track and lost in the woods. Sometimes they do not even create a BRAIN BREEZE let alone a Brain Storm.

Let’s start at the beginning- HOW DO YOU LEAD A BRAINSTORM MEETING?

The Invitation-

An invitation to a brainstorm session should start with a stated goal.
Should include a little more information than you think anyone needs so that everyone feels comfortable participating
Consider inviting one more person than you think you need. Maybe a lower level coach or someone from a different part of the program. Maybe even a PARENT!

How To Begin The Meeting

You could stand up and yell, “Get out your umbrellas because there is going to be a brainstorm.” But that would probably just make you feel stupid. So I would start by making fun of someone else. (Ok- I am kidding. Maybe.)
If you have refreshments, snacks, beer what ever, make sure everyone gets what they want then bring the focus back to you.
You need to get things rolling so have some ideas ready. Nothing too specific and nothing too good. You don’t want people to latch onto them like a life raft. You just want to get things moving. Think of it being inspirational mediocrity. It gives everyone an example that they can easily beat.

Bad Ideas

Gently guide the discussion. The reason you are leading the meeting is that you have become successful enough to know a good idea from a bad idea. As a leader it is OK to let people walk down certain paths and abandon others. But be gentle.
If you are going down a dead end or the conversation is getting lost- just ask the question again.

Silence

To the person leading the meeting, silence suggests time is being wasted by people who don’t know what they are doing.

Let the silence hang in the air for a second. Let people collect their thoughts. Look them in the eyes.

Getting Out

Bring the meeting to an end by recapping what was discussed.
Try to have an idea that each person contributed.
Thank everyone for their participation.
Finish your drink and relax and listen. Keep your note book near by. Someone will have something to add!

KEY TECHNICAL MATTERS

When an idea comes to you, wait 10 seconds. If it still seems like a great idea after 10 seconds, then say it out loud.
If alcoholic beverages have been made available to you and you’ve had one drink, wait 20 seconds before blurting out your idea.
Three drinks?- Wait a minute
Four drinks? Shhhhhhhhh
A colleagues idea should not be publicly denigrated- unless it is so colossally stupid that by cutting it off at the knees you’re averting disaster.
Maybe not even then.
The best way to tell if an idea is good is to look at everyone BUT the person speaking. Almost any response is indicative or merit. Shift in position, nod, smile, robot dance, swoon.
Best thing anyone’s ever said about a brainstorming session, “When stuff is good, it floats” (remember that other things float too)
Know that together you can defy the impossible
Snacks help.

5 Exercises to keep YOU (the coach) healthy!

December 8, 2011 by Tony Retrosi 4 Comments

Gina Paulhus, CPT and Owner, Home Bodies Fitness Training

As coaches we are always worried about our athlete’s conditioning program. We need to make sure our athletes’ bodies are physically prepared for the demands of gymnastics. When is the last time you thought about if YOUR body is prepared to coach?

Think about it–the demands include: spotting, moving mats (hopefully you have trained your kids to move the mats!!), long hours on your feet and with your body in less than ideal positions. Coaches have a dominant side which can throw the body out of whack over time. Then there is the stamina required of being the only coach at a meet with kids in four separate squads…

Here are 5 simple tips you can use when thinking about your own workout. You ARE working out, RIGHT??

1. For strength training, choose dumbbells over machines and barbells.

Dumbbells prevent your stronger side from ‘taking over’ developing muscular balance in the body. A balanced body is less prone to injury.

2. Favor ‘interval training’ over steady cardio.

Interval training, where you vary your pace within a workout (such as jog, sprint, alternating, or jog, walk alternating) is more similar to the demands of your job. It is also more effective in helping with weight control. 20 minutes of intervals is worth 60 minutes of steady cardio.

3. Do some core.

I bet you know a billion core exercises for your gymnasts. Pick two for abdominals, two for your sides, and two for your back.

4. Work out before work.

You will not be able to put much into your training after a long day at the gym. If you have kids, try hitting the gym right after dropping them off at school. Don’t go home, you will find something else to do!

5. Stretch tight areas as priority.

Who has time to stretch for an hour? But everyone can find five to ten minutes to stretch your tightest areas. Hamstrings, hip flexors, chest, and back are typical culprits.

INJURIES

December 5, 2011 by Tony Retrosi Leave a Comment

Like any coach I HATE to see any gymnast get hurt.

Unfortunately Injuries are a reality in any sport and it is not a matter of IF a gymnast is going to get hurt, it is a matter of WHEN. Knowing that every gymnast is going to experience some kind of injury that will prevent her from optimal performance in practice or competition should encourage us (as gymnastics professionals) to have a plan. I have told the athletes I work with, There are only 2 guarantees in gymnastics:

You are going to get hurt
You are going to get frustrated

It is HOW you deal with #1 that will help with #2

Injuries can range from as small as a rip to the obvious fractures and torn ligaments and ruptured tendons. Each athlete will deal with their injury differently. Some have a very high tolerance for pain while others have a relatively low threshold. I have had gymnasts who when they ripped you would have thought that someone had taken a blow torch to their hand and other gymnasts who continued to work out on what we discovered was a broken bone in her ankle.

HOW ARE YOU GOING TO REACT TO AN INJURY?

A coaches attitude towards an injury is so important. You want the gymnast to be able to tell you if something hurts BUT they should also tell you how much they think they can do.

“My ankle really hurts, I think I am only going to be able to do Vault OR Floor. Which should I do?”

If a coach over reacts to an injury then the gymnast will as well. I have seen coaches under reacts to an injury, the gymnast may learn NOT to tell the coach when they are hurt or feel that the coach doesn’t care. It certainly is a fine line.

RETURNING TO THE GYM

Following an injury we all want the gymnasts to return to practice and be part of the group. It is good for their psychological state, it keeps the desire to return high. We can all think of an athlete who did not return from a relatively minor injury because of too much time off and they felt that the group moved on with out them.

I like to see the girls back at their normal practice schedule even if hours are reduced. Speaking to an athlete on their return is a crucial part of their rehab. What is the plan? Because of the nature of women’s gymnastics leg injuries are the most prevalent as well as the most limiting in the gym. If an athlete hurts her leg, This is an opportunity for them to really make improvements on bars. They can learn to be more subtle with their arm movements on dance. I have had a great deal of success with gymnasts practicing “mental choreography” for leg events that they can not do (I will write more in this later).

If she has injured her arm, there really is a lot they can do in the gym. Tramp will become their new best friend! There are literally thousands of drills and skills that kids can do on tramp for every event. (Who knows maybe that will be the topic of another dvd!)

It is important that the gymnasts know that EVERYTHING WILL BE OK. This is a set back, but it is also a time to let other things heal. This is also an opportunity to make improvements in other areas.

Strength
Flexibility
Dance
Rhythm
Speed

Your relationship with the medical community is another aspect often overlooked. Face it, there are some out there who HATE gymnastics.They think gymnastics is a form of abuse. My daughter had a Dr who was a hater. Can you imagine the arguments we had? We are talking serious fireworks in the office. Needless to say- he is no longer her Dr. I will save my tirade against those closed mined individuals for another time. Find a set of DRs who understand sports and children. The fact that gymnastics is a big part of their life and that taking it away can be crushing. Invite them in to your gym. (give their kid a free trial class!). Show them what you do and that you really care about the children. If they know you and your concern for safety and the individual recovery they are more likely to let a gymnast return to limited gymnastics sooner. I actually had a DR put a kid in a cast for a fairly minor sprain because he knew this particular athlete WOULD NOT stay off it. This was a great thing and the DR called me up and told me why.

Find a great Physical Therapist in the area. Invite them in.

Every time an athlete goes to see a DR or a PT they are usually given exercises for their particular injury. Start a big 3 ring binder and divide into body parts. Make a copy of the exercises and keep them in the book.

Have some pre-designed work outs for athletes with limitation. Sort of a “Help my ankle hurts Vault work out” Or Bars, Beam, Floor. This will save you a lot of time and aggravation as you work with your healthy athletes.

Proper nutrition is a key component to injury recovery. Here are 2 good articles.

Nutrition as a key player in injury recovery

Exercise Injuries, A diet for recovery

Andrea Bailes

December 1, 2011 by Tony Retrosi 3 Comments

Last week in Wit and Wisdom 11/25 I quoted Novelist Cynthia Ozick:

“We often take for granted the very things that most deserve our gratitude”

I wasn’t going to post this until mid-December but as I was editing the website today, I felt that it couldn’t wait.

We all too often rush though life in and out of the gym without taking the time realize that working with kids is a real gift. I had just returned from a vacation and while going through nearly 400 e-mail messages I came across this submission. Please take the time to read and pass it on. AND TODAY, WHEN YOU GO INTO THE GYM, MAKE IT COUNT.

Submitted by Matt Brinker. You can follow his blog at BLOG OF MATT BRINKER

I want to tell you about a child named Andrea Bailes. This was not easy to write for me at all. I can’t ever remember crying like this in my life. I can hardly see the keyboard to write this through all the tears. Everything I remember just brings more and more.

Andrea was a fourteen year old girl in the eighth grade. She would have attended Point Pleasant High School. Andrea was a gymnast, but also dabbled in soccer and volleyball. From all accounts she did those two sports very well. I never had the pleasure of watching her do other sports besides gymnastics. She was dear to my heart through gymnastics. I had the privledge of coaching this athlete for several years.

Andrea was involved in a car accident on Friday the 18th of November, 2011. The accident took her life.

Back up several years. Andrea came to SOGA and her first year she competed level four. In the beginning she was not very good and her flexibility was terrible, but she was strong and she worked her ass off. Within the span of a month or so her splits had gone from hideous to almost all the way down because she had been working on them outside the gym constantly. I remember teaching her to do her shoot through. She struggled mightily with these because of her long legs. She never gave up. She kept trying it over and over and over again until she got it. She kept a good attitude all the time and would often encourage her team mates even when she wasn’t doing well and even when the other athletes were doing the same skills better than her. She improved greatly in that first year.

Her second year at the gym brought more of the same. She was tall, thin, and inflexible but again she never gave up on the skills despite all of her struggles. Level five was better for her because she could showcase her strength much more. Throughout the entire year she was probably the best team mate in the gym. Still, constantly encouraging everybody. She always had a good attitude. She was always smiling. She always worked hard. Anytime her attitude went south it was because she was frustrated with herself because she wanted to do the skills better or do them right.

Andrea finished her second competition season at SOGA as level five state champion on Uneven Bars, but that didn’t seem to matter to her. Her team had not done as well as we had all liked at states and she was disappointed. She did what she always did. She went back into the gym and quietly worked her ass off. She would try her hardest to do every little thing she was asked to do and it rarely came easy to her. She kept trying.

This brings me to our third season together. I had already spent more than two full years with her and I saw her two, three, and sometimes four days a week. It was decided that her and her team mates would be level sixes this year. Yet again she confidently and quietly went to work at the gym. She did it with determinate smile at all times. The beginning of this season was rough for all of the level sixes. They made huge strides before meet season. Andrea struggled on beam and floor, mostly due to a lack of flexibility. She began to shine on vault and bars. She constantly pushed her team mates to do better on those two events. Because of her lack of flexibility, back walkovers were particularly troublesome for her. She tried them constantly and failed constantly but she never gave up. I remember the mighty roar that went through the gym the first time she landed one of the beam, which was probably halfway through the season, at least. This thought brings tears to my eyes now. She was so happy. But it wasn’t happiness for herself. She was happy that she might be able to help her team on beam now.

As the season progressed she kept getting better, as did her team mates. Even after landing walkovers in the gym with more consistency… I don’t believe she ever stayed on the beam at competitions. She continued to encourage her team mates with her chin up and a smile on her face even after she would fall off beam. The fire would come into her eyes the second we headed to vault and bars and she would shine. She was so aggressive and she did everything I asked her to do. She won lots of meets on vault and bars. She took her awards with a smile, knowing that she had done everything she could to help her team mates. She would then sit and watch everybody else get medals on beam, floor, and in the all around with the same smile.

When states rolled around that year the girls were ready to go. They had done well all year. They had won most meets on vault and bars, largely thanks to Andrea’s efforts. We did beam first and it was not so good for us. Andrea came off the beam yet again, but then cheered on her team mates with a great attitude and a smile. Floor next. Much better results for all the girls, but still not what we all wanted. As we made our way to vault, I saw the fire. I saw it in Andrea’s eyes and I saw it in the other girls. They were ready to go. My five little level sixes dominated vault. They were “rock stars” and they earned every tenth they got. Her score somehow did not even count for our team on vault but you couldn’t tell. They had all vaulted well and she was happy and so where the rest of the kids. I tried to refocus them for bars and they took the coaching well. They warmed up and competed like rock stars again. Andrea’s score was second highest on our team, but again… That didn’t matter to her. After we were finished I told the girls I was proud of them. They had worked their asses off all year and they had showed up well at states. When things shook out my five little level sixes took second place as a team. We were first on vault and bars as a team and Andrea took first on bars. I never heard a word about her bar title from her, but she was so proud of the second place team award.

This spring, summer, and fall Andrea continued to work her ass off like normal. We played with flipping vaults for fun and she did them well. We did giants with some consistency and she was consistently hitting casts and clear hips in handstand. She developed one of the prettiest layout flyaways I have ever seen. She finally was on an even playing field on beam and floor. No terrible walkovers to set her back. She could do a handspring and cartwheel-cartwheel. She could also show some of her power on floor and ended up getting pretty good at her level seven passes.

None of this matters though, because she did it all with a great attitude. She worked her ass off when she was in the gym and she did it with a smile. She ripped three times last week. Big, bloody rips. She peeled the skin off and went back to work. I have seen her straddle a bar and get up laughing. And yeah… I meant bar, not beam. She straddled it really hard. She jumped up smiling and laughing at herself even as the tears came to her eyes. Andrea was the first girl to encourage somebody. She was the first girl to give a team mate a kick in the butt when they weren’t doing what they were supposed to. She was the first girl to laugh at a team mate and she was also the first girl to laugh at herself, or me. She was ever the smart ass as she got into her young teenage years. Every coach, athlete, and parent loved her. Every single younger child looked up to her. They didn’t look up to her because of her tall, thin, extremely muscular frame. They did so because she was an amazing child, athlete, friend, team mate, daughter, and sister. She was everything that I hope my children turn into.

I think back on all the memories over the past few years with Andrea in the gym. She has been with me since SOGA opened. She aspired to be a coach. I’m not completely sure, but I think that it was because of me. She constantly helped out her team mates and they would listen to her almost as well as they would listen to me. She had the worst hillbilly accent at times and we all enjoyed correcting her and gently teasing her. She would always take it with a huge smile and would usually give it back to me or the other kids. Just like she did a little more than twenty-four hours before she lost her life. Andrea grew into a beautiful, confident, funny, caring, and all-around amazing young girl. Like I said before, she was always a smartass and she kept me on my toes. That made me love her even more. I rarely had to question her effort or desire, if ever. My only regret is not being able to see her outside the gym more. I know that she was a wonderful person outside of our doors as well. Everybody that knew her liked her. I will never forget Andrea Bailes as long as I live.

I had to talk with my athletes and parents today. It was extremely hard. Most of the kids already knew about Andrea and all of the parents knew. I tried to be strong for the kids. I told them all I loved them and that if they needed anything at all that I wanted them to come to me. I told them I didn’t care what it was. If they needed somebody to listen or talk to, a shoulder to cry on, or if they just needed a hug… I would do whatever it took to help guide them through this difficult situation. There were many tears shed. I told my athletes to go over to a couple mats to sit, hang out, and talk. Soon their quiet talks turned into laughter as the parents all began discussing things we could all do to help out Andrea’s family. After the kids had some time to decompress I went over to them to talk some more. I told them that Andrea embodied so many great qualities that we all had to take with us. She blessed our lives with her smile, whit, work ethic, and stubborn determination to be the best she could be. I told my gymnasts that I was going to continue on with my life and try to take those values with me. I never want to let Andrea Bailes and her attitude die in my heart and mind. I told them that I thought Andrea would want us to continue on and work our asses off to be the best we could be, just like she would. They all agreed. I left them alone and a short time after their gentle laughter turned into running, jumping, and flipping. The kids began to deal with this problem together, in the gym. Andrea would have done the exact same thing. She always did. She never missed an opportunity to play with her friends in the gym.

As I sat in the gym I kept looking around from event to event. In my head I kept seeing her doing her skills on the events. All the little mistakes, all the quirks, all the beautiful lines. The door opened and an even worse realization hit me. Not only would I never see this wonderful child do gymnastics again… I would never see her walk through those doors again. Somebody else walked through the door but all I could see was her head poke in as she sort of shuffled in towards the lockers. She had a very unique way of entering the gym and I’m not sure if anybody else has ever noticed it.

I don’t know where things will go from here. I know Andrea was a huge part of my life and the lives of all the people at SOGA. She was very dear to me in particular because of all of the qualities I have gone on and on about. It feels to me like a little sister or daughter has been taken away. I can only imagine how her family feels.

I do know that going forward I want to keep her memory alive in my heart and mind. I want to keep those qualities burning inside me. I want to be the best coach I can possibly be and I want to make these kids into the best people they can possibly be, and hopefully great gymnasts. I want to do it for Andrea Bailes. That phrase has been echoing in my head for hours and hours. For Andrea Bailes. For Andrea Bailes. She has done so much for me and for others and I can only hope to do as much for others as she has done. Only time will tell and only time will heal or lessen the pain.

I do not know how to move on in this post, in the gym, or in life right now but I do know why I am going to do things and how I am going to do things. I am going to do it to the best of my ability at all times, because that is what she did. I am going to try to be a better encourager, because that’s what she was. I am going to try to go about things with more of a quiet confidence, because that was what she did. I am going to do all of this because Andrea Bailes made me a better person and a better coach. I am going to do it for her because it what she deserved.

I will never forget you and I will always appreciate the time I was able to spend with you. Thank you for all the great memories and thank you for being such a wonderful person. You will be missed more than you ever know by me and everybody else. I love you. I only hope I can be as great a person as you were.

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